roof collapse

Rockford's historic Midway Theater, one of the most recognizable buildings in the city's downtown, had a portion of its roof collapse today. Built in 1918 as a movie house, it's the former home of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and was a popular rock venue. Recent plans to rehabilitate the neglected theater have fallen through, and it has stood vacant for several years.

The large section of roof that fell was in front of the stage. The building's owner is being told by the city to reinforce the structure and begin work on a permanent plan for the theater's future.